Water pressure alarm

ABSTRACT

A device and system for sensing high pressure in a pressurized water system. The high pressure alarm includes a pressure sensor, controller, and timer. A method of installing a high pressure alarm on a pressurized water system. The high pressure alarm is particularly well-suited for installing under a sink, such as a home kitchen sink, though it can also be installed near other plumbing fixtures or appliances in commercial, residential, or industrial facilities and in outside areas.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE OF PRIORITY APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/056,385, titled WATER PRESSURE ALARM and filed on Aug. 6, 2018, whichis a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/633,554, nowU.S. Pat. No. 10,054,334, titled WATER PRESSURE ALARM and filed on Jun.26, 2017, which claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e)to U.S. provisional patent application No. 62/357,854, titled WATERPRESSURE ALARM and filed on Jul. 1, 2016, the entire disclosure of eachof which is incorporated by reference herein for all purposes and formsa part of this specification. Any and all applications, for which aforeign or domestic priority claim is identified in the Application DataSheet is filed with the present application, are hereby incorporated byreference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field

This disclosure relates to a device and system for monitoring waterpressure in a plumbing system such as found in residential and officebuildings.

Background

In the United States, the water pressure inside most buildings isexpected to be between 50 psi and 75 psi. The Uniform Plumbing Codeallows a maximum pressure of 80 psi. However, the water pressure in ahome or other system can fluctuate over time. As shown in FIG. 1, thereare more fluctuations during the day when people are awake and usingwater more frequently. At night, from around 9 pm to 6 am, there tend tobe fewer fluctuations. Throughout the day, there are many drops inpressure, sometimes dropping below 40 psi. Fluctuations to higherpressures are less frequent.

SUMMARY

In one aspect, there is a device for sensing high pressure in apressurized water piping system comprising a pressure sensor connectableto a power source, the pressure sensor configured to sense a pressure ofthe pressurized water piping system; a controller in communication withthe pressure sensor and a timer, the controller configured to trigger anotification when the sensed pressure is greater than a selected valuefor a selected time.

In some embodiments, the notification is an electronic signal. In someembodiments, the device further comprises an alert, wherein thenotification triggered by the controller is the alert. In someembodiments, the alert is a mechanical alert. In some embodiments, thealert is an audible or visual alert. In some embodiments, the devicefurther comprises the power source, wherein the power source iselectrical. In some embodiments, the device further comprises a functioncontrol, the function control configured to silence or otherwise inhibitthe notification triggered by the controller. In some embodiments, theselected value of pressure is between 75 psi and 90 psi. In someembodiments, the selected value of pressure is between 75 psi and 90 psiand the selected time is 1 minute.

In some embodiments, the device further comprises a housing that housesat least the pressure, timer, and controller. In some embodiments, thepressure sensor, power source, and alarm are positioned in the housingsuch that the housing has a low profile. In some embodiments, the devicefurther comprises a database in communication with the pressure sensor,wherein the database keeps a record of the pressure measured by thepressure sensor.

In another aspect, there is a system for sensing high pressure in apressurized water piping system that comprises a water shut-off valveconnected to a plumbing fixture or appliance; a pressure sensor fluidlyconnected to the water shut-off valve; a power source connected to thepressure sensor; and an alert connected to the pressure sensor and powersource.

In some embodiments, the system further comprises a timer, wherein thealert is triggered when a pre-determined water pressure condition occursand pre-determined time has been reached on the timer. In someembodiments, the plumbing appliance is a water heater. In someembodiments, the pressure sensor and the alert are incorporated in thewater heater. In some embodiments, the plumbing fixture is a sink. Insome embodiments, the system further comprises a water line thatconnected the pressure sensor to the water shut-off valve. In someembodiments, the system further comprises a housing that houses at leastthe pressure sensor and the alert.

In another aspect, there is a method for installing a high pressurealarm on a pressurized water system that comprises disconnecting a waterline from a shut-off valve; connecting a high pressure alarm to theshut-off valve; and connecting the water line to the high pressurealarm. In some embodiments, the high pressure alarm comprises a pressuresensor, the pressure sensor configured to sense a pressure of thepressurized water piping system; a controller in communication with thepressure sensor and a timer, the controller is configured to trigger anotification when the sensed pressure is greater than a selected valuefor a selected time; and the timer. In some embodiments, the methodfurther comprises mounting the high pressure alarm near the shut-offvalve. In some embodiments, connecting a high pressure alarm to theshut-off valve comprises connecting a tee-fitting to the shut-off valve.In some embodiments, connecting a high pressure alarm to the shut-offvalve can be done by a user with little knowledge about plumbing.

In another aspect, there is a kit for sensing high pressure in aplumbing system that comprises a plumbing pressure monitor comprising ahousing containing a pressure sensor, controller, and alert. The kitalso includes a tee-fitting and a conduit that is connectable to thepressure sensor at one end and the tee-fitting at the other.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows water pressure measurements in a residence over 33 hours.

FIG. 2 shows water pressure measurements in a residence without athermal expansion tank over 29 hours.

FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of a high pressure alarm.

FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of a method of triggering a high pressurealarm.

FIGS. 5A and 5B are schematic/block diagrams for embodiments of a highpressure alarm.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of a high pressurealarm.

FIG. 7A is a perspective view showing an embodiment of a high pressurealarm mounted under a sink.

FIG. 7B is a close-up perspective view showing the high pressure alarmmounted under a sink.

FIG. 8 shows an embodiment of a high pressure alarm connected to a waterheater.

FIG. 9 shows an embodiment of a method of installing a high pressurealarm.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The foregoing description details certain embodiments of the systems,devices, and methods disclosed herein. It will be appreciated, however,that no matter how detailed the foregoing appears in text, the systems,devices, and methods can be practiced in many ways. As is also statedabove, it should be noted that the use of particular terminology whendescribing certain features or aspects of the development should not betaken to imply that the terminology is being re-defined herein to berestricted to including any specific characteristics of the features oraspects of the technology with which that terminology is associated.

Referring back to FIG. 1, it may be noted that this data set exhibitssome increasing spikes in water pressure, sometimes nearing 70 psi.Conventionally, perhaps because low pressure fluctuations appear to bemore frequent and dramatic than high pressure spikes, devices have beendescribed and produced that identify when a significant drop in pressureoccurs in a plumbing system. Monitoring low pressure conditions can alsobe useful because abnormally low pressure in a plumbing system can be anindicator that there is a leak in the plumbing system. On the otherhand, high pressure is not an indicator of a leak, but high pressure cancause significant damage to a plumbing system and the appliances and/orfixtures that are attached to it. Common plumbing components, such astoilet supply lines, toilet fill valves, refrigerator supply lines,angle-stop valves, water filters, water dispensers, dishwashers, washingmachines, water coolers, etc., are designed to operate safely andeffectively up to a maximum water pressure. If the pressure in aplumbing supply system is too high, components connected to the systemmay fail prematurely, causing leaks to occur. For example, high pressuremay cause faucets, shower valves, water heater temperature reliefvalves, or water heater pressure relief valves to leak or drip. Waterheater relief valves frequently leak due to excessive pressure.Excessive water pressure can shorten the life of plumbing fixtures andappliances, such as water heaters, washing machines, dishwashers,faucets, hoses, valves, irrigation systems, etc. Excessive waterpressure can also cause water hammer or noisy pipes.

Causes of high pressure spikes in a plumbing system can includemalfunction of devices such as pressure regulators on the main supplyinput and thermal expansion tanks associated with water heaters. Somesystems, especially older construction, may not have a thermal expansiontank, leaving the system vulnerable to a buildup of high pressure orpressure surges due to water heater operation. For example, as seen inFIG. 2, the pressure in a residential plumbing system can surge over 140psi in a system that does not have a thermal expansion tank. Somesystems may not have a pressure regulator on the input, subjecting thesystem to the supply pressure from the municipality, which may be abovethe recommended limit a majority of the time, and furthermore canincrease during times of low system usage. In addition, these pressureregulating components can malfunction and lose some or all of theirregulating ability. As opposed to a leak, a malfunction in theseregulating devices is currently invisible to a property owner and/oroccupier, resulting in the potential for serious damage to the plumbingsystem and associated devices before any problem is identified andcorrected. The devices disclosed herein ameliorate this previouslyunaddressed problem.

FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of a high pressure alarm 100. The highpressure alarm 100 is connected to a water line 105 to monitor thepressure in water line 105. The water line 105 can be a flexible orrigid water supply line. The high pressure alarm 100 can be connected tothe water line 105 via a threaded or push-fit connection. The highpressure alarm 100 can be connected to a closed or open pressurizedsystem. The high pressure alarm 100 embodiment of FIG. 3 comprises apressure sensor 110, controller 130, power source 120, alert 140,function control 170, timer 150, housing 160, transmit/receive circuitry165, and antenna 180. The components of the high pressure alarm 100 areconnected via electrical connections 115. The pressure sensor 110 isconnected to the controller 130 and the power source 120. The pressuresensor 110 can be a pressure switch, transducer, strain gauge, or othermeans for sensing pressure that provides an output that isrepresentative of a measured pressure. The power source 120 can be aninternal source of power like a battery or can be an external source ofpower like 120 VAC or an Ethernet connection. In some embodiments, thepower source may be mechanical power, for example, line pressure orwater flow. The controller 130 may be connected to the alert 140 and canalso be connected to the function control 170, timer 150, and/or antenna180. It will be appreciated that not all of the components illustratedin FIG. 3 are necessary to implement embodiments of the invention. Atleast the function control 170, timer 150, transmit/receive circuit 165,and antenna 180 are optional as will be described below.

FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of a method of identifying and indicatingwhen a high pressure event has occurred that may be implemented by thedevice 100 of FIG. 3. The pressure sensor 110 can sense pressure 202. Ifthe pressure is not above a threshold the high pressure alarm 100continues sensing pressure 202. If the pressure is above a threshold,then the controller 130 may optionally determine whether the highpressure above the pressure threshold is maintained for a threshold time206. When step 206 is implemented, the threshold time may be in therange of a few seconds to a few minutes. In some embodiments, thepressure threshold may be between 70 psi and 90 psi. In someembodiments, the pressure threshold may be between 75 psi and 85 psi. Insome embodiments, the pressure threshold may be 80 psi. Referring backto FIG. 2 with respect to the choice of pressure threshold, it can beseen that thresholds of 75 to 90 psi catch basically the same set ofhigh pressure events, whereas a threshold of 95 or 100 will begin tomiss some. As seen in FIG. 1, a threshold at 70 psi or below will likelycause some false alarms during small high pressure excursions that areacceptable in the plumbing system.

If the sensed high pressure drops below the pressure threshold beforethe threshold time has elapsed, the high pressure alarm 100 continues tosense pressure 202. If the high pressure event continues until thethreshold time has elapsed, a notification is triggered 208. In someembodiments, the controller 130 triggers the alert 140, which may be anaudible, visual (e.g. light or LED), or mechanical alert (e.g.vibration, deploying a flag or post). In some embodiments, thenotification may be an electronic signal or message sent to a mobiledevice, home automation monitoring system, webpage, or mobile app. Insome embodiments, multiple notifications are triggered. For example, anaudible alert may sound and an electronic message may also be sent to amobile app.

High pressure may be caused by a failed pressure reducing valve, thermalexpansion, or freezing conditions. High pressure may occur periodically,such as when the system has low use (e.g. during vacation or nighttime). The high pressure alarm 100 can help prevent damage to theplumbing system or appliances attached thereto by notifying a user whena high pressure event occurs. Many plumbing components can tolerate highpressure conditions momentarily; however, if high water pressurecontinues for an extended period, the plumbing system and/or appliancesor fixtures attached to the plumbing system will eventually fail. Inaddition, pressure cycling (i.e. from 60 psi to 110 psi multiple timesper day) fatigues plumbing components and shortens their useful life.

The steps of the method described above are exemplary only. A person ofskill in the art would understand that the order of steps of the processcould be performed in a different order, and one or more steps may beexcluded. In some embodiments, method 200 may include a step requiring athreshold number of pressure events to occur before triggering anotification. For example, method 200 may require at least two pressureevents to occur before triggering a notification. In some embodiments,method 200 may include a step of activating a supply or relief valve. Insome embodiments, method 200 may include a step of silencing the device100 for a set amount of time. For example, if the high pressure alarm100 goes off in the middle of the night, a user may want to silence thenotification, especially if it is an audible alert. The function control170 may turn off the notification triggered in step 208 and monitortimer 150. After a set time has passed, a notification can be triggeredagain if the high pressure situation still exists. For example, the settime may be a value between about 1 hour and about 12 hours althoughshorter or longer periods are possible. In some embodiments, the usermay want to silence the high pressure alarm for an extended period oftime (e.g. at night when sleeping or during working hours).

Referring back to FIG. 3, in some embodiments the high pressure alarm100 may have an antenna 180 to communicate with a mobile device, homeautomation monitoring system, webpage, or mobile app. The high pressurealarm 100 may send a notification to a user's mobile device, homeautomation monitoring system, building automation system, webpage, ormobile app, indicating that the high pressure alarm 100 has beentriggered. The high pressure alarm 100 may communicate with the mobiledevice, home automation monitoring system, building automation system,webpage, or mobile app regarding the status of the power source 120. Forexample, the high pressure alarm 100 may send a notification to theuser's mobile device, home automation monitoring system, buildingautomation system, webpage, or mobile app that the power source 120needs to be replaced. In some embodiments, the high pressure alarm 100may send a digital output to log pressure data over time, communicatecurrent pressure, or communicate current power level, etc. High pressureevents can occur due to many different factors, like an absence orfailure of a pressure reducing valve or a thermal expansion tank. Thepressure logging can be used for troubleshooting as well.

A user may be given the ability to silence and/or reset the highpressure alarm 100 using the function control 170. The function control170 can be a button, switch, or other known means in the art. A user maybe able to silence and/or reset the high pressure alarm 100 for a setamount of time measured by timer 150. A high pressure event in a home,building, or irrigation system may not require immediate attention so itmay be hours or even days before the causes of the high pressureevent(s) are investigated and/or corrected. In instances where the alert140 is audible, it is advantageous for the user to be able to silencethe alert 140 using function 170. A user may also be able to test thehigh pressure alarm 100 using the function control 170 to check if thepower source 120, the alarm 140, and other components are functioningproperly.

FIG. 5A is a schematic/block diagram of one implementation of a highpressure alarm 100 such as illustrated in FIG. 3 and configured toperform the method illustrated in FIG. 4 as well as other pressuremonitoring and notification methods. In this implementation, componentsof the device include a battery 302, a pressure switch circuit 304, analarm circuit 310, and a controller circuit 312. The battery 302 may bea conventional PP3 size 9-volt battery. If the battery is a 9-voltbattery, a zener diode 303 may be provided to clamp the voltage suppliedto the rest of the circuit at a lower level such as 5 or 6 volts thatmay be more suitable for the electronic components of the circuit. Thepressure switch circuit 304 in this implementation comprises a pressurecontrolled switch that is open when the water pressure is below athreshold, and closed when the water pressure exceeds a threshold.Devices with this operation and a threshold fixed internally by themanufacturer are commercially available such as the SM-95A-80R/WL958from Nason. A pressure transducer having an analog or digital outputindicative of measured pressure could also be used in the pressureswitch circuit. With a pressure transducer, the pressure threshold canbe made adjustable with a comparator and/or with controller 312programming. The controller 312 may be microcontroller of standardfunctionality widely commercially available such as the PIC12F1822 fromMicrochip Technology Inc. The output of the pressure switch circuit atnode 318 is connected to an I/O pin (designated IN1 on FIG. 5A) of thecontroller 312. An output of the controller 312 at node 326 is assertedand de-asserted selectively by the controller 312 to control theoperation of the alert 310. The alert may be of a variety of types asnoted above. One example is the audible alarm PK-20A35EWQ from MallorySonalert. The microcontroller 312 is powered by voltage regulator 336,which has a voltage input connected to the battery output at node 358and a voltage output designated V_(dd1) connected to provide power tothe controller 312. The enable input 338 of voltage regulator 336 isconnected to the output of inverter 344 such that the voltage regulator336 is enabled to provide power to the controller 312 when the input tothe inverter at node 350 is low and the output of inverter 344 is high.As illustrated in FIG. 5A, node 350 which provides the input to inverter344 is connected to an output of the pressure switch circuit 304, anoutput of a battery voltage monitor circuit 354, and also to the batteryoutput at node 358 through a pull-up resistor 346.

When operating in a low pressure environment with a charged battery, theoutputs of the pressure switch circuit 304 the battery voltage monitorcircuit 354 and the manual switch circuit 330 that are connected to node350 are in a high impedance open circuit state, and node 350 is heldhigh by the coupling of node 350 to the battery output through pull-upresistor 346. When node 350 is high, the output of the inverter 344 islow, the voltage regulator 338 is not enabled, and the controller 312 isnot powered and is in an off state. This is advantageous as it minimizespower consumption of the device under low pressure and normal batteryconditions which are expected most of the time. In this state, thepressure switch circuit 304 is also configured to have its output 318that is connected to the controller 312 tied to ground voltage. Also inthis state, the manual switch circuit 330 is configured to have itsoutput 332 that is connected to controller 312 tied to ground voltage.

If the pressure exceeds the threshold and the pressure switch componentof the pressure switch circuit 304 closes, the pressure switch circuit304 changes its outputs such that the output connected to node 350transitions from open circuit to ground and the output 318 connected toIN1 transitions from low to high. When node 350 is pulled low by thepressure switch circuit output, the inverter 344 output goes high. Whenthis happens, the voltage regulator 336 becomes enabled and powers upthe controller 312. When the controller 312 turns on, and sees that theIN1 signal is high instead of ground, the controller 312 will assert itsoutput at 326, turning on the alert 310. If/when the pressure drops backbelow the threshold, the pressure switch will open, node 350 will returnto a high state disabling the voltage regulator 336 and shutting off thecontroller 312 and the alert. Also, the output 318 of the pressureswitch circuit will transition back to ground. The high pressuresituation can additionally or alternatively be indicated by LEDs or adisplay, wherein the alert 310 may be an audible alarm. An alert in theform of an electronically transmitted notification may additionally oralternatively be sent via wireless or wired communication channels toindicate to the user the existence of a high pressure condition.

In the implementation of FIG. 5A, the optional battery voltagemonitoring circuit 354 can also awaken the controller 312. The batteryvoltage monitoring circuit 354 can be configured to compare the voltageat node 358 with a threshold voltage. If the voltage at node 358 dropsbelow the threshold, the output of the battery voltage monitoringcircuit 354 that is connected to node 350 may be pulled low, enablingthe voltage regulator 336 and powering up the controller 312. In thissituation, the controller will see after it powers up that the IN1 andIN2 inputs are grounded because the pressure switch circuit 304 and themanual switch circuit 330 have not been actuated. In this situation, thecause of the wake up is therefore concluded to be the battery voltagemonitor circuit 354. In this situation, the controller may cause thealert to chirp in a predetermined manner indicating that the battery islow and should be changed. This condition may also or alternatively beindicated by LEDs, a display, an electronic communication, etc.

The manual switch circuit 330 is an optional component that can providea variety of additional functionality to the pressure monitor. Themanual switch circuit may, for example, include a non-locking springbiased push button that is closed when being actively pressed down by auser and that springs back to an open configuration when the userreleases the button. In one implementation, when the manual switchcircuit is actuated by pressing on such a button, the manual switchcircuit makes output 332 transition from low to high, and makes theoutput connected to node 350 go low. This awakens the controller 312 ina manner similar to the battery voltage monitoring circuit and thepressure switch circuit. In this situation, when the controller 312wakes up, it will see IN2 high, and IN1 low. This indicates that themanual switch circuit 332 caused the controller 312 to wake up. Inresponse, the controller 312 may toggle the alert output 326 in aparticular pattern. This may provide a circuit test function, wherehearing the pattern from the alert tells the user that the controllerand the alert are functional.

A timer circuit 325 may also optionally be included. With a timercircuit 325, if the controller 312 is awakened and IN1 is high, insteadof immediately activating the alert 310, the controller may count pulsesfrom the timer circuit 325 and wait a predetermined time such as a fewseconds or a few minutes with IN1 high before activating the alert. Thiscan be used to implement decision block 206 of FIG. 3 described above.

Additional desirable functionality is the ability of a user to turn thealert off, even if the pressure remains high. A simple implementation ofthis with the circuit of FIG. 5A is to program the controller 312 tode-assert output 326 if IN2 goes high while IN1 is already high becauseof a high pressure state. Thus, actuating the manual switch circuit 330can silence the alert functionality during a high pressure state, andtest the alert functionality during a low pressure state.

Another embodiment implementing alert silence functionality is shown inFIG. 5B. A real time clock 320 may be provided in this embodimentcoupled to I/O pins (typically two pins) on the controller 312. Thecontroller 312 can set the date and time of the clock and can read thedate and time from the clock. In the implementation of FIG. 5B, the realtime clock 320 is powered continuously (as long as battery 302 isinstalled) through voltage regulator 338 which has voltage and enableinputs connected to the battery output, and a voltage output designatedV_(dd2) connected to provide power to the real time clock 320. The realtime clock therefore does not turn on and off like the controller 312with high and low pressure in the plumbing system.

With this clock 320, the switch circuit 330 can provide a way for theuser to manually silence the alarm so that it turns off the alarm duringa high pressure event for a predetermined period. In thisimplementation, and similar to FIG. 5A, when the switch of the manualswitch circuit 330 is closed, node 332, which is normally grounded, ispulled high. If this transition at IN2 is detected by the controller 312while IN1 is high and the output 326 is asserted, the controller 312 mayde-assert its output at 326, and set the real time clock. Once the realtime clock is set and running, the controller will monitor the real timeclock output. When a predetermined time has passed, such as severalhours, 12 hours in one advantageous implementation, the controller willgo back to normal operation and the alert will be turned on again if thepressure in the plumbing system is high.

After the alarm is silenced, the controller 312 may be turned off if alower pressure situation is or becomes present during the predeterminedtime period, e.g. the following 12 hours. As can be seen in FIG. 2, ifthe alarm is silenced during the high pressure event designated 25, overthe next several hours the pressure switch will open and close a fewtimes before a several hour silence period expires as the pressure dropsand increases through high pressure events 30 and 35. If the alarm issilenced at the high pressure event 25 for 12 hours, the high pressureevents 30 and 35 should not trigger the alarm. Therefore, when thecontroller 312 wakes up at the beginning of event 30, the controllershould be able to determine if it has been silenced, and if so, when thesilence period is to end. This can be done by appropriate setting of thereal time clock. For example, if the real time clock is set to noon onDec. 31, 2000 whenever the alert is silenced by a user pressing themanual switch as described above, when a 12 hour silence period ends,the year in the real time clock 320 will roll over to 2001. If thecontroller turns off and then on again, it can check the year in thereal time clock. If it is 2000, then the controller doesn't activate thealert, even though IN1 may be high, because the year 2000 from the realtime clock indicates a silence period is in effect. If the year is 2001,then the controller will turn on the alert as the silence period willhave expired. The real time clock 320 can be initialized to year 1900for example in the factory, and then if the controller wakes up and theyear is earlier than the year 2000, the controller will also know thatno silence period is active.

The switch 330 may also provide a reset function if the alarm issilenced during a high pressure event that triggered the alarm. For thisfunction, the switch 330 may be closed for a relatively long period oftime (e.g. about 10 seconds or more), also measured by the controller312 as described above. In response to a long term switch closure whichholds IN2 high for a long period, the controller 312 may toggle the node326 between high and low one or more times to make the alarm chirpaudibly as an acknowledgement to the user, reset the clock to Jan. 1,1900 and then continue to monitor the state of the pressure switch 304.

FIG. 6 shows an embodiment of a high pressure alarm 400. The highpressure alarm 400 has a housing 460 and a face plate 465. The faceplate 465 may be removable. In some embodiments, the face plate 465 maynot be removable such that the housing 460 is continuous. The face plate465 may be removed so that a user can access the internal components.For example, the face plate 465 may be removed so that the power source420 can be replaced. The pressure sensor 410 is connected to water line405 via threaded or push-fit connection. The water line 405 can be aflexible or rigid water supply line. The water line 405 may be aconventional ⅜″ compression connection faucet connector hose. In someembodiments, the pressure sensor 410 has a custom thread and isconfigured to connect directly to a commonly used plumbing flexible line(e.g. compression 9/16-24 UNEF water line). The pressure sensor 410 isconnected to controller 430 and power source 420 via electricalconnections 415. The water line 405 is connected via tee-fitting 490 toa water supply (e.g. shut-off valve) and a fixture or appliance (e.g.sink, toilet, water heater, irrigation system, etc.). In someembodiments, the water line 405 is connected to the water supply withany suitable connection. Water comes into the tee-fitting 490 from theshut-off valve and goes out to the fixture and through water line 405 tothe pressure sensor 410. If the pressure exceeds a certain thresholdpressure, then alarm 440 sounds. A user may be able to silence, test,and reset the high pressure alarm 400 by using function button 470 asdescribed above which may form part of the manual switch circuit 330 ofFIG. 5A and FIG. 5B.

FIG. 7A shows an embodiment of a high pressure alarm 500 mounted under asink fixture 596. FIG. 7B shows a close up view of the high pressurealarm 500 and its connection to the shut-off valve 592. A Tee-fitting590 connects the high pressure alarm 500 with the shut-off valve 592.Water flows into the Tee-fitting 590 from the shut-off valve 592 and outto the sink 596 via water line 594 and out to the high pressure alarm500 via water line 505. If the pressure exceeds a certain thresholdpressure, then the alarm 540 will sound. A user can reset the highpressure alarm 500 by using function button 570.

The housing 560 of the high pressure alarm 500 has a low profile so asto better fit under the sink 596. The alarm 540 and function button 570are shown on the side of the high pressure alarm 500 but can be locatedin other positions. The location on the side is preferred for ease ofaccess by the user. The face plate 565 prevents access to the internalcomponents of the high pressure alarm 500. The face plate 565 canprotect the internal components from being damaged when things areplaced under the sink 596. In some embodiments, the housing 560 may beruggedized such that the high pressure alarm 500 may be positionedoutside.

FIG. 8 shows an embodiment of a high pressure alarm 600 connected to awater heater 696. Shut-off valve 692 is connected to a cold watersupply. The high pressure alarm 600 is connected to the shut-off valve692 via tee-fitting 690. Water flows into the tee-fitting 690 from theshut-off valve 692. Water flows out of the tee-fitting 690 to the highpressure alarm 600 via water line 605 and to the water heater 696 viawater line 694. There can also be a water heater expansion tank 698connected to the shut-off valve 692.

In some embodiments, the high pressure alarm 600 can be incorporatedinto the water heater 696, water heater expansion tank 698, or otherplumbing fixture or appliance. In some embodiments, the high pressurealarm may connect to or be incorporated in a beverage dispensing machine(e.g. coffee, water, etc.), icemaker, water filtration system,dishwasher, washing machine, water filtration system, or irrigationsystem.

FIG. 9 shows an embodiment of a method of installation of a highpressure alarm 700. First, disconnect water line from the shut-off valve702. Connect high pressure alarm to shut-off valve 704. Connect waterline that was disconnected in step 702 to high pressure alarm 706. Mounthigh pressure alarm 708. The steps of the method described above areexemplary only. A person of skill in the art would understand that theorder of steps of the process could be performed in a different order,and one or more steps may be excluded, as desired. For example, step 706can occur before step 704 or step 708 can occur before step 702. Thesesteps can be done by a plumber or are simple enough that a consumer withlittle plumbing knowledge can install a high pressure alarm by himselfor herself. These steps can be performed using household tools.

In some embodiments, the connecting high pressure alarm to shut-offvalve step 704 may include connecting the high pressure alarm via aflexible or rigid connection. In some embodiments, the mounting highpressure alarm step 708 may include mounting the high pressure alarm toa wall, such as a wall of a sink cabinet or wall of a room. The mountingmay be via nails, screws, adhesive, or other mounting means known in theart. In some embodiments, the high pressure alarm is not mounted. Forexample, when the high pressure alarm is connected via a rigid pipeconnection, the high pressure alarm can be supported by the rigid pipeconnection and does not require mounting. In some embodiments, the highpressure alarm is placed on a surface (e.g. floor or shelf) and is notmounted to a wall.

In some embodiments, the high pressure alarm can be installed in aresidence. In other embodiments, the high pressure alarm can beinstalled in an office, commercial building, medical facility,industrial facility, boat, or RV.

A kit that contains some or all of the components shown in FIG. 6 can beprovided for sale at hardware stores and the like. The kit may includethe alarm 500, conduit 505, and tee fitting 590. These items may beprovided in a single package. This kit may be easily installable asdescribed above by homeowners and others with little to no plumbingexperience. The method of FIG. 9 used to create an installation such asshown in FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B can be performed easily with the watervalve 592 turned off by removing one connection and creating two. Thismay be performed with only a wrench. A wrench for the installation mayalso be provided in the kit. In addition, mounting hardware such asscrews for placing the alarm on a wall or other surface may also beprovided in the kit.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that variousmodifications and changes may be made without departing from the scopeof the described technology. Such modifications and changes are intendedto fall within the scope of the embodiments. It will also be appreciatedby those of skill in the art that parts included in one embodiment areinterchangeable with other embodiments; one or more parts from adepicted embodiment can be included with other depicted embodiments inany combination. For example, any of the various components describedherein and/or depicted in the Figures may be combined, interchanged orexcluded from other embodiments.

It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, termsused herein are generally intended as “open” terms (e.g., the term“including” should be interpreted as “including but not limited to,” theterm “having” should be interpreted as “having at least,” the term“includes” should be interpreted as “includes but is not limited to,”etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if aspecific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such anintent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence ofsuch recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid tounderstanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of theintroductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to introduce claimrecitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed toimply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinitearticles “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containing suchintroduced claim recitation to embodiments containing only one suchrecitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases“one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or“an” (e.g., “a” and/or “an” should typically be interpreted to mean “atleast one” or “one or more”); the same holds true for the use ofdefinite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, evenif a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitlyrecited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitationshould typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number(e.g., the bare recitation of “two recitations,” without othermodifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two or morerecitations). Furthermore, in those instances where a conventionanalogous to “at least one of A, B, and C, etc.” is used, in generalsuch a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the artwould understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one ofA, B, and C” would include but not be limited to systems that have Aalone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and Ctogether, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). In those instances where aconvention analogous to “at least one of A, B, or C, etc.” is used, ingeneral such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill inthe art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at leastone of A, B, or C” would include but not be limited to systems that haveA alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and Ctogether, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). It will be furtherunderstood by those within the art that virtually any disjunctive wordand/or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in thedescription, claims, or drawings, should be understood to contemplatethe possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms, orboth terms. For example, the phrase “A or B” will be understood toinclude the possibilities of “A” or “B” or “A and B.”

The term “comprising” as used herein is synonymous with “including,”“containing,” or “characterized by,” and is inclusive or open-ended anddoes not exclude additional, unrecited elements or method steps.

What is claimed is:
 1. A device for sensing and notifying of a highpressure condition in a pressurized water piping system of residentialhomes and office buildings, the device comprising: a housing; a pressuresensor disposed in the housing and configured to sense the high pressurecondition in the pressurized water piping system; a real time clockdisposed in the housing and configured to determine a date and a time; acontroller disposed in the housing and in communication with thepressure sensor and the real time clock, the controller being configuredto, generate a notification based on the sensed high pressure conditionand the date and the time determined by the real time clock, andactivate a supply or relief valve based on the notification; and atransmitter disposed in the housing and configured to transmit thenotification to a wireless device.
 2. The device of claim 1, wherein thenotification is provided to an app on the wireless device.
 3. The deviceof claim 1, wherein the notification generated by the controller is anaudible or visual alert.
 4. The device of claim 1, wherein thetransmitter is further configured to send a digital output indicative ofat least the high pressure condition and the date and the timeassociated with the high pressure condition.
 5. The device of claim 4,wherein the transmitter is further configured to send a digital outputindicative of a current pressure, wherein the current pressure ismeasured at a time different than the time associated with the highpressure condition.
 6. The device of claim 5, wherein the digital outputindicative of at least the high pressure condition and the digitaloutput indicative of the current pressure is provided to the wirelessdevice for troubleshooting.
 7. The device of claim 4, wherein thedigital output is stored in a database.
 8. The device of claim 1,wherein the housing is ruggedized.
 9. The device of claim 1, wherein thecontroller is further configured to silence the notification.
 10. Thedevice of claim 9, wherein silencing the notification is based at leastin part on the date and the time.
 11. A method of alerting and notifyingof a high pressure condition in a pressurized water piping system ofresidential homes and office buildings, the method comprising: sensing ahigh pressure condition in the pressurized water piping system with adevice, the device comprising: a housing; a pressure sensor disposed inthe housing and configured to sense the high pressure condition in thepressurized water piping system; a real time clock disposed in thehousing and configured to determine a date and a time; a controllerdisposed in the housing and in communication with the pressure sensorand the real time clock, the controller being configured to, generate anotification based on the sensed high pressure condition and the dateand the time determined by the real time clock, and activate a supply orrelief valve based on the notification; and a transmitter disposed inthe housing and configured to transmit the notification to a wirelessdevice.
 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the transmitter is furtherconfigured to send a digital output indicative of at least the highpressure condition and the date and the time associated with the highpressure condition.
 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the transmitteris further configured to send a digital output indicative of a currentpressure, wherein the current pressure is measured at a time differentthan the time associated with the high pressure condition.
 14. Themethod of claim 13, wherein the digital output indicative of at leastthe high pressure condition and the digital output indicative of thecurrent pressure is provided to the wireless device.
 15. The method ofclaim 11, wherein the controller is further configured to silence thenotification.
 16. The method of claim 15, wherein silencing thenotification is based at least in part on the date and the time.
 17. Anapparatus for sensing and notifying of a high pressure condition in apressurized water piping system of residential homes and officebuildings, the device comprising: a housing having a supply or reliefvalve, a pressure sensor configured to sense the high pressure conditionin the pressurized water piping system, a real time clock configured todetermine a date and a time, a controller in communication with thepressure sensor and the real time clock, the controller being configuredto generate a notification based on the sensed high pressure conditionand the date and the time determined by the real time clock, andactivate the supply or relief valve based on the notification, andprovide the notification to a wireless device.
 18. The apparatus ofclaim 17, further comprising a transmitter configured to transmit thenotification to the wireless device.
 19. The apparatus of claim 17,wherein the device is further configured to send a digital outputindicative of at least the high pressure condition and the date and thetime associated with the high pressure condition.
 20. The apparatus ofclaim 19, wherein the device is further configured to send a digitaloutput indicative of a current pressure, wherein the current pressure ismeasured at a time different than the time associated with the highpressure condition.